JBS gets court nod to reopen Brazil plant closed over COVID-19 outbreak

MAY 30, 2020 / 3:16 PM / UPDATED 6 HOURS AGO

Ana Mano
2 MIN READ

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - A Brazilian labor court on Saturday ruled that JBS SA (JBSS3.SA) can reopen its chicken processing plant in the southern state of Santa Catarina, according to a copy of the decision seen by Reuters.

The plant, which employs about 1,500 people and had been closed since May 18 following an outbreak of the novel coronavirus, can process about 135,000 birds per day.

JBS confirmed the favorable injunction issued on May 30 by Labor Judge Paula dos Anjos.

A company spokeswoman said resumption of activities at that plant, located in the small town of Ipumirim, would avoid the culling of thousands of chickens.

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JBS gets court nod to reopen Brazil plant closed over COVID-19 outbreak

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Don't forget Trump has bestowed these filthy grifters funding provided by U.S. American taxpayers:

Trump Bailout Money Will Buy Pork Products from JBS
Profile picture for user Jennifer Shike
by Jennifer Shike
03:25PM Jan 09, 2019

Brazilian-owned JBS, one of the largest meatpacking companies in the world, will sell 1.8 million pounds of pork products through President Donald Trump’s farm bailout program, according to USDA-Agricultural Marketing Service documents released Wednesday.

U.S. taxpayers will buy about $5 million in pork products from JBS through the program, The Washington Post reports. USDA plans to spend up to $558,815,000 on pork purchases alone under the Food Purchase and Distribution Program to be distributed through the Food and Nutrition Service’s safety net of nutrition assistance programs.

A large part of the program involves direct cash payments to farmers, although those payments are stalled due to the partial government shutdown. Agriculture Department officials announced Tuesday they are extending the application deadline for aid under this program for at least several weeks.

Where Will the Funding Go?
The $12-billion program was created to buy surplus commodities from farmers and ranchers to help them weather the effects of the long-running trade war with China, but some critics have questioned whether funding will also enrich large and foreign-owned firms.

USDA terminated a $240,000 purchase contract with Smithfield Foods at the company’s request after a backlash on Capitol Hill over the award in November 2018. Smithfield Foods is owned by the Chinese conglomerate WH Group. Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) criticized the payment, arguing taxpayer money should not go to an international firm.

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https://www.agweb.com/article/trump-bailout-money-will-buy-pork-products-from-jbs